Nowhere is the age-old tension between aesthetics and utility as evident as in modern sports. What resonates with our senses might not always be useful. In this specific milieu comes Smriti Mandhana, who is nobody's idea of a philosopher - in fact, she doesn't like books - but her cricket offers some critical insights on how beauty doesn't always need to be sacrificed on the altar of utility.
No Indian batters have scored more runs across limited-overs formats than Mandhana in the last five years. She bats in her own noiseless channel, completely detached from the consequences, never letting the pressure dynamic creep into her game. Scoring runs is all that matters, and she has been doing that with impeccable consistency for years now.
Born in Sangli, a city around 400 km from Mumbai, Mandhana's early exposure to the game came through her cricket-freak father and elder brother, Shravan. Instinctively adopting their left-handed batting stances, Mandhana rose through the ranks at a rapid pace, playing her first game for the state's U-19 team at 11, and then making her senior debut for Maharashtra at just 15. Being a child prodigy destined for greatness meant living under constant scrutiny, but Mandhana remained detached from the chatter. She says that she never thought of herself that way.
"I always lived in the present. Even as a kid, I was always very focused on what I needed to be doing on daily basis to get better. I don't really remember any extra baggage. I just wanted to enjoy myself out there and give my best for India," says Mandhana, who has always loved the extra responsibility that expectations from fans add to her shoulders.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2023 من Man's World.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2023 من Man's World.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Most Expensive Made-In-India Cars
From Mercedes limousines to variants of the flagship Land Rover, a surprising number of luxury flagship models are now locally assembled or produced in India
Making Noise In Quiet
Manik Handa of Eudaemon explains what it truly takes to define quiet luxury in India’s crowded retail market
Luggage Travails of a Frequent Flyer
Luxury and semi-luxury luggage are the new fashion frontier amongst the Indian jet set. Our writer though recommends extreme caution, unless you are the kind who can afford to fly in private jets
Ruling The Street
Either through imitation or rejection, streetwear continues to dominate the wardrobe of young India. We talk to those who follow the scene closely to understand its rise in status
Street Cred
Royal Enfield’s Guerrilla 450 is a thoroughly fun and exciting motorcycle—it is not that the Himalayan has just tidied up for a visit to the city
Now Serving.Indigenous India
India's culinary scene is buzzing with a quiet revolution, fueled by a vibrant comeback of hyperlocal ingredients. This movement isn't just about digging up fresh, local produce from across the nation—it's about rediscovering the deep, rich tapestry of India's diverse culinary heritage
CHAITANYA AKKINENI OF OLD LOVES AND NEW
The Akkineni-Daggubati family scion is starting a new phase, and life is looking more exciting than ever
Independence Movement
As we step into India's 77th year of Independence, we're shining the spotlight on four stunning timepieces, all designed from within the nation's borders
Precision in Motion
How Alain Zobrist and Omega Time the Olympics
The New Frontier
While India witnesses a massive growth in the number of global skincare brands entering the market, an increasing number of homegrown brands takeover the space and trust among consumers